City ​​of Witches 968

Chapter 968 – #208_Scandal(4)

#962

1.
Two days had passed since Dandelion, Gehenna’s gossip rag, released its shocking exposé on Shin Siwoo.

The private lives of celebrities are always a juicy topic to chew on, savor, and enjoy.

And since the content was so shocking, Shin Siwoo became the talk of the town among many witches.

From Border Town to Ars Magna Town.
From street pubs to secret private salons.
Everywhere you went, there was endless talk about the male witch’s scandal.

The public opinion was at its worst, with about 90% of the blame directed at Shin Siwoo.
The remaining 10% was scattered among his lovers.

This was likely due to the unique sense of solidarity among witches.

Historically, witches have been ‘women’ for a long time, while Shin Siwoo, a male witch, was an outsider to the witches of Gehenna, making it easier for them to criticize him.

A pub within the grounds of the Levana Grand Bathhouse was no different.
Witches gathered from midday, spreading out magazines and chattering away to their hearts’ content.

“I’m telling you, it was definitely strange. I saw Evergreen and Shin Siwoo walking together, and they didn’t look like friends at all.”
“Yeah, yeah, you know what? That guy used to stay in the same lodgings as Duke Tiferet.”
“Some people even saw them walking hand in hand.”

In fact, it’s not like no witches had noticed Siwoo’s womanizing ways before.
No matter how careful Siwoo was, he was bound to slip up at least once if he didn’t completely avoid contact.

But until now, voicing it was another matter.

It was not worth gossiping about Shin Siwoo, whose backing was no joke.

Without solid evidence, they might receive a duel challenge if they tarnished his reputation.
They also didn’t want to face the wrath of Count Jemana.

“So, he was just like any other guy.”
“He must have been using his pretty face to get around.”
“Maybe his papers were also written with his dick? How many witches were advising him?”
“That’s not true. There were rumors that his paper review was quite excellent.”

But now that the stage was set, everyone was free to gossip as much as they wanted.

How could he deal with all these witches?
Even if he did, it would only look like the person caught in the scandal was spitting on his own face.

“I was really shocked. I personally respected Duke Tiferet. Even if he’s just a temporary disciple…”
“Shhh, shhh, no. That’s not it. Lower your voice.”

One of the witches, who had been happily gossiping, made a gesture of zipping her lips.

Gehenna is small.
Moreover, the witches of Gehenna are usually connected to each other.

It’s no exaggeration to say that if you go through five connections, all the witches know each other.

So, who is Duke Tiferet?

She is a figure respected by many witches.
There were countless witches who had been saved by her, and many who had their grudges resolved by her.

It was best not to poke the bear.
With that in mind, the four witches who had been gossiping enthusiastically took a sip of their drinks.

A sarcastic remark, as if pinpointing them, was heard amidst the brief silence.

“Those sneaky bitches. They can’t say anything in front of them, so they do this.”
“That’s right, Alice, sis.”
“That’s why the natives of Gehenna are no good.”

“What? Who is it?”
“It’s me, you cowards.”

The person who appeared with metallic, shimmering silver hair was the ‘Mercury Witch’.

It was Alice Ibn Hayyan, who had been kidnapped with Siwoo to Hexennacht and miraculously returned with Manya Malysha.

She owed Shin Siwoo a lot.
Not only had he forgiven her for attacking him in the labyrinth for money, but he had also taken responsibility for Manya and Malysha and ensured their escape from Hexennacht.

Thanks to that, she had escaped Rosie’s evil clutches and obtained citizenship in Gehenna.
As a 20th-level Archwitch, she had recently been scouted by the Emerald Tablet and was in a luxurious dilemma.

To Alice, Shin Siwoo was an benefactor who she would at least risk her life for two or three times.
How could she stay quiet when she heard her benefactor being gossiped about?

“So what if he has a lot of sex? Do you guys live in chastity belts?”

Alice tilted her head with a delinquent attitude and sauntered towards the four witches.
Manya and Malysha also flanked her, creating a menacing atmosphere like thugs.

“Who do you think you are?”
“I was going to let it slide, but seeing the way you guys are acting, I can’t stand it.”
“Ah? You’re from the exiles, aren’t you?”
“No wonder I smelled a criminal stench. Do you have enough money to be here?”

The exiles who had their citizenship restored were not looked upon favorably.
Whether it was in the past or present, they were people who had been branded with a scarlet letter.

But that was not something to worry about, and Alice knew a good way to win this argument.

“Should I tell on you?”
“……?”

“Should I tell Shin Siwoo that you were gossiping behind his back? You know he killed the Witch of Reverse Heaven, right?”
“……”

The four witches shut their mouths.

As a disciple of Tiferet, Shin Siwoo’s combat skills were rumored to be exceptional.

They didn’t want their acquaintance to tell him, ‘Hey, they were gossiping about you,’ even if they were hiding behind the crowd and whispering.

“He’s the one who took the lead in solving the problems of the present world when you were just twiddling your thumbs in Gehenna. Just because he has a harem, you’re treating him like a moron. Ugh, I think you guys are more moronic.”
“What does an exile know about honor…”
“What.”

Even the timid mumbling faded away when they met Alice’s eyes.
Even if she was an exile, the fact that Alice had regained her citizenship in Gehenna and was an Archwitch remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the gossip rag Dandelion added new fuel to the fire.

Shin Siwoo had finally been granted the title of Baron.
It was an incomprehensible move by common sense.

The granting of the title itself was understandable since there was no rule like ‘a title is not granted to someone embroiled in a scandal.’
But if he was in his right mind, he wouldn’t have accepted the barony in this situation.

“He must have been so greedy for a title, tsk tsk.”
“That’s how snobs are.”

“I heard he even bought the Tiferet mansion to create an academy? It’s too late to back out now, so he must have decided to go with a thick skin.”
“Maybe he thought that time would pass and only the title would remain.”

“Hmph, who would recognize such a baron as a baron?”
“That’s right, that’s right.”

It was the era of great gossip.
Even if he stayed still, his ears would be constantly tickling.

“Shin Siwoo. You’re the best. I didn’t think it would be completed to this extent in just two days.”

Takasho trembled with excitement.
Would this be the feeling if the best craftsman met the best material and carved the best masterpiece of all time?

“It’s thanks to you.”

Siwoo also smiled and bumped fists with him.

The part that Takasho pointed out was the mind control part.

First, the first piece of advice was to enhance the confidence that makes up the biggest part of a man’s charisma.

‘When I see you, you always seem a little intimidated.’
‘It’s like you have the slave mentality ingrained in your body from five years of slavery.’
‘It’s obvious, but you can’t be subconsciously intimidated. You’re not trying to be a host, are you?’

This was a way to break the subconscious inhibitors.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

Five years was not a short time, and even Takasho, who had a relatively smooth slave life, had not completely shed that part of himself.

‘Think about when you have sex! Were the witches you fucked on the bed also strong?’
‘When you deal with witches, always think of it as if you’re on the bed.’
‘In short, think of all the witches you’ll be dealing with as opponents you can conquer.’

But Siwoo had already conquered countless witches on the bed.
That’s why Takasho actively drew on Siwoo’s experience.

‘You don’t have to try to be perfect.’
‘Think about it! After all, the etiquette of witches has been something only for witches for a long time, right?’

‘What if you, a man, make a few mistakes, but you can cover it up with the atmosphere? It’s much more natural to lead than when you’re too stiff because you’re trying to be formal.’

The second piece of advice was to give up on perfection.

Albireo was trying to make Siwoo like a Northern Grand Duke.

But as had been proven several times, even if he had perfect etiquette, it didn’t exactly create charisma.
This was because he was too worried and became awkward.

Siwoo gained naturalness instead of perfection.

This transformation was also well-received by Count Adonai, who participated as a pastime.
He was so satisfied with the result that he just accepted the barony.

This was a unilateral decision by Takasho and Siwoo.

There was nowhere to retreat even if they ran away from here.
So, the strategy was to raise the stakes and aim for a high return.

“Even if we turn to ashes. Let’s go to the end of that sky. My friend.”
“You’re the only one, Takasho.”

While the two men were strengthening their friendship.
Albireo, who heard the news late, hurriedly ran to Takasho’s host bar.

“Siwoo-kun! What on earth are you thinking!”

It was unbelievable.
How could he make such an important decision so rashly!

How much change could there have been in just two days that he would recklessly take on the risk?

“Count Albireo. You’ve arrived.”

Albireo burst into Takasho’s office.

What she faced was Shin Siwoo sitting at the table, backlit.
The sunlight streaming through the wooden blinds and the quietly floating smoke from the cigarette.

“……”

Albireo, who was about to unleash a torrent of complaints, paused.

Siwoo was wearing an Italian suit.

As is typical of the Italian style, which comfortably accentuates the curves of the body, his attire was not very neat.
The top button of his shirt was also loosely undone, and he was not wearing a tie.

The way he was leaning back on the backrest and crossing his legs was also far from formal.

He was definitely not a Northern Grand Duke.
Nevertheless, he exuded a charisma that had never been seen before.

Each movement had a slight swagger and arrogance, but it wasn’t enough to make one frown, creating a strange atmosphere.

It was like a young, ambitious mafia boss.

The muscles that stood out over the suit fit, and the energetic veins that bulged on the back of his hand under the naturally rolled-up sleeves.
She couldn’t help but think of a wild, untamed horse with a magnificent black mane that no one could tame.

“Please, have a seat.”

Shin Siwoo put out his cigarette in the ashtray, buttoned up his shirt, and stood up.
Albireo nodded blankly.